Running the Race - reflections on the Cape Town Marathon

At the end of the Cape Town Marathon - My sister Jacqui, brother-in-law Dick and myself

Last October I completed the Cape Town Marathon.  As I reflect on this race, I have realised a few things about running, and races, and the long race, and the long journey of life, and so many other lessons - here are a few that I continue to find helpful.

The marathon was an accomplishment  
   I know that some people run marathons to win - to actually finish first - but as I crossed the line after five hours on the road I came to the conclusion that, rather than running against others, I was running to complete the distance, and not to beat anyone else.  For me, the goal was to cross the finish-line.  That was my race to win!  
   In the same way, our lives are to be completed, not against anyone else, but we need to make sure we have run to the best of our ability - in the words of Eugene Peterson: A long obedience in the same direction.

I needed to run my race 
   I started off running with my brother-in-law.  However, he runs faster than I do.  And so after 5 km he was up ahead - somewhere.  I tried to keep track of him, but couldn't.  And as I continue to run, there were times that I ran with others, times that people passed me, and times that I passed them.  I came to the conclusion that if I try to keep up with others, who are more capable, I tire myself out and might not finish well.  
   In life we need to run the race that we have been called to, according to our gifts and abilities, not comparing ourselves to others, but being obedient - stewarding the resources and opportunities the Lord has given us.

Accountability
   Something that gets me running is to have that person that gets me going with them.  My brother-in-law was that person in this marathon.  In fact, he suggested it as a goal for last year, that we run a marathon together.  Initially I though it would be 21km - but no, he said let's go for 42.  And so that's how it started - and I gotta say that without his walking the road with me in even the training, the race would have been that much harder!  
   Having accountability in a marathon is one thing - how much more valuable is it as we run the race of life to get people around us who can walk with us.

Preparation
   Vital to finishing the marathon was the countless hours that went into getting sufficient running before the event...and that started three months prior to the race.  There was much training.  As well as this, I needed to have the right shoes and other equipment.  I signed up for the event, made sure I slept and ate well in the days preceding it, and we got there in time for the start.  
   Again, in life we need to be prepared for whatever we will do - whatever that might be.

In conclusion, my encouragement to us all is that as we run this race to which we are called, let us run it with diligence and obedience, to the best of our ability, one day at a time, making the most of every opportunity.